"We are devastated but we have got support from friends and family and that's doing a lot to help," she said.

"She had been marked out for being a gifted swimmer who competed for her country.

"She worked incredibly hard. She loved swimming, she was very focused on it and she wanted to go as far as she could. She was also bright academically, everything she did she gave 100 per cent. We are very proud of her.

"She gave up going on holiday with her friend to compete, she was so committed, so dedicated, she worked everything around her swimming."

Hours before she died, Waddell collected an "outstanding Achievement" award for her efforts at the Swim Trafford and Altrincham swimming club.

Afterwards, she went to a friend's house to celebrate at a party before her parents picked her up and drove her home.

At the time of her death Chloe was the regional 800m freestyle champion. She also competed at the National and British Championships in various events.

A police spokesman said: "At about 8.30am on February 3 2013, police were called by the ambulance service who had attended a house on Bryons Drive in Timperley.

"Paramedics were there to treat a 16-year-old girl who had gone into cardiac arrest.